MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — While fingerprinting is often associated with convicting criminals, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is highlighting another crucial function of the technology — exonerating innocent people.

During the Montego Bay leg of the JCF Transformations Expo 2.0, the force’s Fingerprint Bureau attracted attention with its interactive booth, showcasing advancements in biometric technology that benefit both law enforcement and civilians.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Germain Anglin underscored the broader applications of fingerprinting, noting that improved background checks help safeguard schools, homes, and businesses.

“If you’re looking to employ a person at, say, a basic school, you will want to ensure that this person is not a child predator or anyone who has been convicted of any such crime,” Anglin explained.

“You also have many people now conducting background checks on workers they’d want to employ within their homes. This technology expedites the process so that business owners can have ease of mind, and law-abiding citizens can rest easy knowing they are exonerated, never hindered, by this process.”

Anglin further emphasised the importance of this technology in criminal investigations, particularly in protecting the rights of innocent individuals.

“If an individual is picked up and we are of the view that they committed a crime, it is their right to have the process explained to them and to give their fingerprint willfully,” he said.

“If (they refuse) then the new act can give authority under certain offenses like murder. What that does is it exonerates innocent individuals, because we have to complete that process before placing them before the court.”

To reinforce its ethical application, Anglin noted that fingerprints obtained for exoneration purposes must be destroyed within six months once the person is cleared.

The JCF Transformations Expo 2.0, now in its second staging, is being held at the Montego Bay Community College and Kingston’s National Arena.

The four-day event comprises interactive booth displays, and live performances and demonstrations. The Expo concludes on Sunday, June 22.